The Island of Lilies was a picturesque scene filled with birdsong and the fragrant aroma of blooming flowers. In the clearing amidst the Chalon Forest, the Emperor himself was instructing his appointed Imperial Queen, Suria, in swordsmanship.
Suria possessed exceptional talent and a strong foundation in swordsmanship, particularly with the large reserves of psychic energy Ryan had infused into her, along with the divine power bestowed by the Lady of the Lake. However, she had never truly learned how to utilize these gifts effectively, and she had always lacked an outstanding swordsmanship mentor.
Her progression had stalled at the peak of the Legendary rank, largely because Ryan had been too preoccupied with war, leaving much of the kingdom's internal affairs to her.
The Emperor wielded a massive two-handed sword nearly 1.8 meters in length, though in his hands, it looked like a short sword. With patient care, he demonstrated each move for Suria, teaching her step by step. He designed an entire sword style specifically for her, and under his guidance, her progress was nothing short of astonishing.
In just a few short days, Suria successfully broke through the barrier to the Sanctuary (Saint) rank.
The Emperor taught Suria three special techniques.
The first was how to harness Ryan's psychic energy and the power of the Emperor-blessed full plate armor she wore. This technique was a form of swordsmanship the High Elves called "Arrow-Cutting." Suria could concentrate for a short time (about five seconds) and block or deflect any attack not exceeding the power of a demigod. This move was named "Shadow Parry."
The second was a technique for striking an enemy's vulnerable points with precise attacks. Each consecutive strike in a fight against a single opponent would grow more powerful and deadly. This technique was called "Wave Strikes."
The third was a technique the Emperor tailored specifically for Suria.
This move, named "Void Dance," allowed Suria to consume the psychic energy Ryan had stored within her, enabling her to phase in and out of reality and the Warp. While moving between these dimensions, she could launch precise attacks, making her nearly invincible during this time. With her current Sanctuary-level strength, Suria could deliver three strikes. Enhanced by the golden double-headed eagle wedding ring, the Emperor's blessing, and her enchanted Vibranium armor, Suria could execute up to six strikes. According to the Emperor's estimate, once she reached the peak of the Sanctuary rank, Void Dance would allow her to strike up to eighteen times.
If all eighteen strikes landed, they could banish an ordinary Chaos Greater Daemon from the material realm.
However, this technique consumed nearly all the psychic energy stored in Suria's soul markings, leaving her to rely on Ryan to recharge her afterward, which would take considerable time.
Under the Emperor's guidance, Suria's potential was fully realized, and she quickly began to master these skills. Emilia, who trained alongside her, only managed to learn the first two techniques; she struggled with the third, and the Emperor didn't push her further.
The Emperor had witnessed countless individuals with great potential over his millennia of life, and to him, Suria was just one of many. He remained aloof and rarely spoke. However, whenever Suria addressed him as "father," the Emperor would nod gently in response.
Emilia, despite being skilled, couldn't match Suria's innate talent. She still benefited from the Emperor's instruction, and her Rune Fang was even more powerful than Suria's sword, the Sword of Lyonesse. She had initially hoped to compete with Suria, but eventually resigned herself to playing with her children.
Angron, though clearly uncomfortable with his father's presence, understood that the Emperor's instruction would only benefit Suria and Emilia. He didn't interfere, opting instead to watch from the sidelines while chatting with Lorgar. Both of them harbored a deep resentment toward Guilliman, frequently criticizing him and even discussing how Fulgrim might someday overthrow him.
Meanwhile, Fulgrim gracefully taught young Devonshire and Frederick sword techniques. Unlike Angron, Fulgrim was a much better teacher for children, and his charm quickly won over the two boys, who eagerly called him "Uncle Fulgrim" as they followed him around.
After a while, Ryan and Olica arrived.
"Father," Ryan greeted. "My Lord."
"Hmm," the Emperor replied with a cold nod, gesturing for Ryan and Olica to wait as he continued to instruct Suria and Emilia. Seeing no choice, Ryan led Olica to sit on the sidelines.
"Brother, you're here?" Angron patted the seat next to him with a massive hand. "Come, Father needs a bit more time."
"Alright," Ryan agreed, sitting on a large tree stump with Olica beside him. His son, young Devonshire, ran over excitedly. "Dad! Dad! Grandpa is amazing! And Uncle too!"
"Haha, even better than your dad, huh?" Ryan laughed, picking up his son and kissing his cheek. "What did you learn, son?"
"So much! So much!" Young Devonshire waved his little fists energetically.
"Good, good." Ryan smiled and chatted with his son for a bit, holding him on his lap. As he listened to Fulgrim, Angron, and Lorgar talk, it became clear that they were united in their desire to remove Guilliman from power, plotting to oust him as Lord Commander and Imperial Regent.
Ryan mused to himself, These three are all staunchly anti-Guilliman.
"I'll play you all a song!" Fulgrim, emboldened by the support from Lorgar and Angron, was in high spirits. He pulled out the famous Lizardman instrument, the "Ukulele," and began playing a Lustria melody, singing a lost tune called "Greetings to the Stars." Behind him, his attendant, Carona, provided impromptu accompaniment.
Ryan couldn't help but smile. His music feels strangely like electronic music.
Just as Fulgrim finished two songs, an Emperor's Custodian emerged from the forest, clad in full armor. He approached the Emperor and announced, "Your Majesty, Lord Guilliman has sent an urgent message."
The Emperor stopped, nodding to Suria, who was drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, indicating she could rest for now. Without turning, the Emperor gestured for the Custodian to continue his report.
"Your Majesty, Lord Admiral Spire, leading the 7th Gothic Fleet, has successfully destroyed the Hive Fleet Leviathan's command ship, the Ancient Vessel, in the Bilis-Carona system. A great victory! The Leviathan fleet has temporarily retreated into the void."
"Excellent," the Emperor acknowledged. "Although this victory may only buy the Imperium two generations of time, Spire's actions will aid Guilliman's crusade. What's next?"
"The treacherous Eldar Farseer, Eldrad Ulthran, has suggested an alliance. Prince Yriel of Iyanden wishes to temporarily join forces with Guilliman's fleet to face our mutual enemies."
"Until the Indomitus Crusade concludes, that's acceptable. But remind Guilliman—never turn your back on those xenos, no matter what," the Emperor instructed. "I understand their motives clearly—they use us as much as we use them."
"There's a third matter, Your Majesty... Eldar Death God Ynnead's chosen—Yvraine? Ivrane?—has requested help through Lord Guilliman. She asks… this is outrageous! She dares to request Your Majesty's aid in stealing the Crone Sword from Slaanesh's palace."
The Emperor remained silent.
Ryan and the others were equally stunned.
"Isn't Cegorach, the Laughing God, supposed to be great at stealing things? Why don't they ask him?" Fulgrim was the first to explode in anger. He set his ukulele aside and stormed up to the Custodian. "And that Death God of theirs, isn't he supposed to be skilled at thievery too? Let them do it themselves! They expect our father to risk everything for an impossible mission? I've been to Slaanesh's palace—I know what's in there!"
"That's the Eldar for you," the Custodian growled in frustration.
"Enough for now. Ryan, come with me," the Emperor's voice cut through the conversation with icy authority. "I have something to tell you."
"Yes, Father." Ryan quickly stood up and followed the Emperor into a small grove.
After walking about a hundred meters, the Emperor stopped. "Ryan."
"Yes, Father," Ryan replied respectfully.
"You know that Suria-Coumarine-Anteli-de-Winforth is the Imperial Queen I appointed, your wife, and your queen."
"Yes, I know," Ryan nodded.
"Then, do you truly treat her as your wife and queen, as the Imperial Queen I appointed?" the Emperor asked, his tone devoid of emotion.
"Father?"
"Answer me!"
"Yes," Ryan replied earnestly. "I've always treated her as my wife. I've entrusted her with court matters and internal affairs. I consult her on every major decision, including personal matters."
"Her opinions?" The Emperor's dark eyes bore into Ryan. "I don't see that you've respected her opinions."
"I…" Ryan was puzzled, raising his head to see the Emperor's face, which remained expressionless.
"Rather than focusing on managing internal affairs, she wants to fight alongside you," the Emperor said, closing his eyes. "You've grown, and I wasn't planning on reminding you, but you seem to have missed something important."
"Please, Father, enlighten me," Ryan said. Whenever he spoke with the Emperor, he felt immense pressure. His expression showed his unease.
"Sur
ia isn't Malcador. She's your wife, not your chancellor!" the Emperor opened his eyes. "Most of Malcador's strength came from what I gave him. He wasn't a warrior. But Suria isn't a delicate flower. Yet you've been treating her like Malcador, copying my methods."
"Father, I was just worried…" Ryan began, realizing the Emperor's point. "Worried about her safety."
"What's there to worry about? Do you think I didn't account for that? The armor, jewelry, and wedding ring I gave her weren't meant to sit in a vault gathering dust," the Emperor replied sternly. "You think you're protecting her, but you're stifling her. You've turned her into a court official, but before that, she was an excellent knight."
"Suria isn't Malcador, and you're not me! You've deprived her of opportunities to grow in strength, and while you maintain decision-making power over internal affairs, which is barely acceptable, her involvement in military matters has been too limited."
"…I see," Ryan admitted, reflecting on the Emperor's words. He realized that he had been reluctant to involve Suria in critical decisions, especially in war, partly out of fear for her safety and partly due to his confidence in his own abilities as a Primarch. He believed he could handle everything himself.
"She told me she wants to accompany you to Ulthuan, even though she knows you won't agree," the Emperor continued. "She understands you, yet she still wishes to go."
"But… going to Ulthuan, we'll be walking into certain humiliation," Ryan objected instinctively, but then he caught himself. "I understand, Father. I'll take her with me."
"Good." The Emperor stopped there, knowing Ryan was intelligent and would take the hint. "Make sure to coordinate with Fulgrim on the Saint Gilles matter. Don't rush things. Be cautious, and don't turn this world into another Eye of Terror. I'll complete the gene-seed implantation for the new Grey Knight recruits in the coming days. They'll need time to train, but rest assured, you can leave for Ulthuan without worry."
"Yes, Father," Ryan nodded, stepping back respectfully.
"One more thing." As Ryan withdrew, the Emperor signaled for him to wait.
"Father?"
"Don't overuse your psychic powers, especially not with women. Don't follow in Russ's footsteps with all those conquest stories. He's a feral wolf cub, but are you the same?" The Emperor scrutinized Ryan for a few seconds before continuing. "Don't make the same mistakes I made in Asia Minor in my younger days. And remember—while you can delegate, you must stay informed about the workings of the realm. Learn from Guilliman. In some areas, he's worth emulating."
"Yes," Ryan replied, feeling slightly embarrassed. "I understand."
"Good. Today's training is done. Take Devonshire and the others with you when you leave. It's time for me to depart as well."
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